Dec 15 2008- Ilha Grande - Life

Ilha Grande (pronounced in English "Eel-yah Grahn-gee") is definitely not a tourist destination. It seems that the shallow waters, and perhaps some other factors I don't realize, make it less desirable for sailboats and tour boats to visit than some neighboring locations. For better or worse, this means that the island is relatively isolated and therefor culturally and ecologically less impacted by outside forces. It may not have the most beautiful sand and swimming conditions in Bahia, but it is still attractive, interesting, and has some inspiringly beautiful areas here and there.

There is a conservative, almost shy, innocence in the way people live their lives here. Life is actually complicated and hard in my view, what with the limited resources and typical need to commit to a weekly 7 hr grocery/supply shopping trip (about 3 hrs on private motor boat) to the mainland town of Camamu. Children from neighboring islands, boat daily to go to school on Ilha Grande. Still, people help each other and also take time to relax and socialize. It's not uncommon for someone to walk you somewhere to show you the location of something.